Reusable sleeve for a beverage container

Abstract

A storable, reusable-insulating sleeve for a beverage container that provides insulation to the user from hot or cold beverages. The improved sleeve maintains insulation of hot temperatures approximately five and ten degrees higher for a thirty-minute interval, than, for example, cardboard counterpart sleeves. The improved sleeve comprises an integral storage-securing mechanism for storing the sleeve in a compact form. The compact form can easily fit into a pocket, purse, car glove compartment or desk drawer. The sleeve is made of various fabrics and is therefore reusable. Further, a pocket contained in the sleeve will accommodate a prepaid card or a key, for storage, transport and gift giving.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 655,807 filed Feb. 23, 2005, where this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present disclosure is directed toward devices and systems for insulating beverage cups. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] The prepared beverage market is a booming phenomenon. Leading the market in the prepared beverages is prepared coffee sales. During the past 14 years the number of coffee shops has grown 7,900 percent in the United States alone, and is a $7.22 billion market. One of the leading coffee providers serves up 30,000,000 beverages weekly. More than half of the United States population purchases specialty coffee products on an occasional basis, with 16 percent purchasing every day. This phenomenon has created a new “coffe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a reusable, insulating sleeve that can be used as a replacement for disposable cup sleeves. The sleeve is more comfortable, provides better insulation, and can hold prepaid cards or keys. It is made from fashionable fabrics and can be personalized with decorative trim. The sleeve also has a sewn-in elastic loop for easy storage and can be used as a ponytail holder or bracelet. The sleeve reduces paper waste and is a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable cup sleeves."

Problems solved by technology

No other known frusto-conical shaped sleeve performs all of these functions and no other cup sleeve incorporates personalized fashion into the consumer experience.

Images